Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he has estimated the cost of reduction of VAT on listed church buildings; how many Church of England churches may qualify for the VAT reduction; and if he will make a statement. [146324]
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) the loss of VAT revenue for the proposed reduced rate of VAT on the repair of listed buildings used for worship, (b) the loss of VAT revenue from the conversion of residential properties into a different number of dwellings and (c) loss of revenue arising from the reduced rate of VAT on alterations to protected buildings. [146392]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 22 January 2001]A recent report by the Churches Main Committee suggests that the VAT paid by all churches, including listed churches, for repairs and maintenance is £38 million per year.
709WAccording to the last English Church Census, there were 16,000 Church of England churches but separate figures were not collected for listed buildings.